PM Kisan Samman Nidhi

The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi is a central sector scheme launched by the Government of India to provide financial support to small and marginal farmers. It aims to ensure income stability and support the agricultural community in meeting their needs.

Key Features of PM-KISAN

1. Financial Assistance: Provides ₹6,000 annually to eligible farmers.
2. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): The amount is directly transferred to farmers' bank accounts in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each.
3. Coverage: Initially targeted small and marginal farmers but later expanded to cover all landholding farmers.
4. Implementation: The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.
5. Eligibility: Farmers owning cultivable land are eligible, subject to exclusions.

Objectives of PM-KISAN

1. Ensure income support for farmers to meet agricultural and household needs.
2. Promote agriculture sustainability and reduce dependency on informal credit.
3. Support small and marginal farmers in overcoming financial challenges.
4. Enhance livelihood security and reduce rural distress.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Farmers must own cultivable land as per land records.
2. Institutional landholders, and certain individuals such as government employees, taxpayers, and professionals are excluded.
3. Only active Aadhaar-linked accounts are eligible for payment under DBT.

Implementation Process

1. Identification: Beneficiary farmers are identified by state and UT governments.
2. Verification: Land records are verified to confirm ownership.
3. Disbursement: Funds are transferred to bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Benefits of PM-KISAN

1. Provides regular income support to farmers.
2. Encourages investment in farming inputs such as seeds and fertilizers.
3. Reduces dependency on moneylenders and informal credit sources.
4. Promotes financial inclusion through DBT.
5. Supports the government's vision of doubling farmers' income.

Challenges and Limitations

1. Exclusion Errors: Many eligible farmers remain excluded due to lack of updated records.
2. Operational Issues: Delays in land record verification affect timely disbursement.
3. Limited Coverage: Tenant farmers and sharecroppers are not covered under the scheme.
4. Aadhaar Linking: Farmers without Aadhaar face difficulties in accessing benefits.

Key Points

1. The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme was launched in 2019.
2. Eligible farmers receive ₹6,000 annually in three equal installments.
3. The scheme uses the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism for fund disbursement.
4. Initially targeted small and marginal farmers, later extended to all landholders.
5. Exclusions include institutional landholders, taxpayers, and professionals.
6. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare is responsible for implementation.
7. Aadhaar linkage is mandatory for beneficiaries.
8. PM-KISAN promotes financial inclusion and supports sustainable agriculture.
9. The scheme aims to double farmers' income by addressing financial challenges.
10. Challenges include exclusion errors and operational inefficiencies.